Which article of the Indian Constitution is related to the duration of State…

2021

Which article of the Indian Constitution is related to the duration of State Legislatures?

  1. A.

    168

  2. B.

    172

  3. C.

    179

  4. D.

    187

Attempted by 1 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Part VI of the Constitution (Articles 168 to 212) governs the composition, duration, and functioning of State Legislatures. Just as Article 83 fixes the duration of Parliament, a dedicated article within this Part fixes the duration of every State Legislature -- five years from its first sitting, unless dissolved sooner, extendable only during a national Emergency.

Article 172 is the specific provision titled 'Duration of State Legislatures.' It provides that a Legislative Assembly, unless sooner dissolved, continues for five years from the date of its first meeting, and that a Legislative Council is a continuing body not subject to dissolution.

Contrast with the near-miss articles:

Article

What it governs

168

Constitution of Legislatures in States -- whether a State has one House or two Houses (composition, not term length)

172

Duration of State Legislatures -- the five-year term and continuing nature of the Council

179

Vacation, resignation and removal from the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker (an officer's tenure, not the House's own duration)

187

Secretariat of State Legislature -- the House's administrative staff (unrelated to duration)

Hence, among the offered options, only the article on duration fits the question.

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